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CONTEXT: The article discusses the recent developments in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, Israel, and other countries in the region. There is a focus on escalating tensions and the impact on energy markets.
CONTENT:
Because the horizon remains very uncertain in the Middle East, concern has once again affected the markets this morning. Asian and European stock markets have fallen into the red. Crude oil prices continue to soar. European gas prices have also soared by 35%. The continuous paralysis of the strategic Strait of Hormuz is to blame. Yesterday, in retaliation for the Israeli attack on a huge Iranian gas field, the largest known reserve in the world and the centerpiece of Iran’s energy industry, Qatar (the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas) reported considerable damage from Iranian missiles on its largest LNG plant this morning. In addition, at dawn, a drone attack also struck two major refineries of the Kuwaiti national oil company.
Yesterday’s attack on an Iranian natural gas field is surprising for several reasons. First, because this field is also operated by Qatar, as you pointed out. It is true that until now, the United States and Israel had always refrained from targeting Iranian energy production facilities in the Gulf. Even though Washington confirmed that this attack was carried out by Israel, the White House claims it was not informed. Nevertheless, this has not stopped Donald Trump from threatening once again to target and destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure.
While the conflict increasingly revolves around energy, yesterday in Iran was also marked by the assassination of a key figure: the Minister of Intelligence, the ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi, who had been elected president of the Islamic Republic. This is further evidence of Americans and Israelis’ unwavering determination to dismantle the Tehran regime. The Israeli state asserts that the series of eliminations of Iranian leaders will not stop. However, pending a possible collapse of the mullahs’ power, Israeli-American bombings continue to hit residential areas, thus paralyzing the country’s entire economy.
It is understood how this aggressive war desired by the United States and Israel against Iran is currently threatening to lead the entire region, and even beyond, into disaster. This morning, President Emmanuel Macron proposed a “moratorium” on strikes against civil infrastructure (especially energy and water resources) in the Middle East. “Civilian populations and their essential needs, as well as the security of energy supplies, must be preserved from military escalation,” wrote the head of state. This may also serve to further emphasize Europeans’ refusal to engage with Donald Trump in his Middle East war. This issue is likely to be at the core of the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels today.
As the U.S. political and economic debate is dominated by the war in Iran, President Donald Trump seems to be turning towards Cuba to divert attention. The island now appears as a potential target where victory would be easier to achieve. Under pressure from the American administration, which has not only blocked oil shipments to the island but currently threatens to “take” Cuba (without specifying what that verb entails), the communist regime is struggling to survive amidst the pressures: one forcing them to negotiate with their worst enemy, and the other from daily popular protests against an increasingly precarious and now unbearable life.
The invitation to the editorial department: Margot François, a doctor from the French Institute of Geopolitics, researcher at the Geode Center.
Undoubtedly, tensions are rising as the second round of municipal elections approaches. In the capital, Rachida Dati and Emmanuel Grégoire went head to head last night in a televised debate, with Sophia Chikirou also participating. On this occasion, the united left candidate, apart from LFI, accused Emmanuel Macron of personally intervening in favor of the far-right candidate Sarah Knafo’s withdrawal to benefit Rachida Dati. These accusations are still present this morning, although they seem to be more rumors than proven facts.
Today, the organizers of the 2030 Winter Olympics in France are coming together to reorganize a committee, after months of crisis. Or at least they will try. The different parties will reunite in Lyon to most likely not achieve much in reality. The deadlock continues, and the project remains stagnant, four years away from the kick-off.
